Players' union chief Gordon Taylor admits it is a worry when a Premier League club cannot afford to meet its financial obligations.

Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, told Sky Sports News: "You can understand much better problems in the Football League and lower down.

"Chester City, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Watford - players have shown a great deal of solidarity and sympathy and understanding and deferred wages.

"But if that is happening in the Premier League I'm sure it is not good for the image of the game and if it is the case it is not going to be highly thought of at the headquarters of the Premier League either.

"There can't be any good reason in the Premier League with the money they enjoy from television income alone, never mind sponsorship.

"That is what life is about in football, paying wages of the players.

"I thought this had been solved with the change of ownership at the club a few weeks ago. We had this earlier in the season."

Portsmouth's problems off the field have been reflected on it this term with the club losing their first seven games of the season. They remain three points adrift at the bottom having collected just seven points from 14 matches.

Manager Paul Hart paid for their poor start when he was sacked last week. Replacement Avram Grant has lost his first two games in charge, conceding eight goals in the process.